Islamabad, Jan 7: In a move signaling deepening bilateral defense cooperation, the air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held comprehensive discussions on the potential acquisition of Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets by Dhaka, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met with Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu in Islamabad, where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. The two military leaders subsequently engaged in detailed talks, reviewing various aspects of defense cooperation between the two nations.
The JF-17 Thunder aircraft, jointly produced by China and Pakistan, is marketed as a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft equipped with modern Chinese avionics and advanced weaponry systems integrated within a lightweight airframe design.
Despite featuring diverse payload capacity and a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, the aircraft’s recent combat performance during Operation Sindoor exposed several structural deficiencies. During the operation, the JF-17 was reportedly heavily outmatched and outmaneuvered by the Indian Air Force’s more advanced fleet, including Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, and Tejas aircraft, raising questions about its operational effectiveness against contemporary fighter jets.
“Detailed discussions were also held on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft,” the ISPR statement revealed, adding that “the meeting also focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy, with emphasis on training, capacity building, and collaboration in aerospace advancements.”
According to the Pakistani military’s media wing, PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Babar Sidhu provided his Bangladeshi counterpart with an in-depth briefing on the recent advancements incorporated in the JF-17 Block III variant. He reaffirmed Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to supporting the Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework encompassing basic to advanced flying courses and specialized programs across PAF training institutions.
“He also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem,” the ISPR statement noted.
The Bangladeshi air chief reportedly praised the Pakistan Air Force’s combat record and expressed keen interest in benefiting from its operational expertise. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Khan specifically sought assistance in maintenance support for the Bangladesh Air Force’s aging aircraft fleet and requested collaboration on integrating air defense radar systems to enhance the country’s air surveillance capabilities.
The Bangladeshi delegation visited several key Pakistan Air Force installations during their stay, including the National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre, PAF Cyber Command, and the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park. These visits provided insights into Pakistan’s aerospace infrastructure and technological capabilities.
“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defense cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” the ISPR statement concluded.
The discussions come at a time when Bangladesh is looking to modernize its air force capabilities, while Pakistan seeks to expand its defense export portfolio and strengthen regional military ties.
